Winding Stair Campground
Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No advance reservations. Potable water is not available; campers must bring their own water supply. Pay on-site with cash, check, money order, or Recreation.gov app QR code. Check-in 2:00 p.m., check-out 12:00 p.m. Quiet hours 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
About
Winding Stair Campground occupies a scenic mountain-top setting along the Talimena Scenic Byway within the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area. The campground offers 23 developed sites with paved spurs, gravel tent pads, fire rings, grills, and lantern poles. Three vault toilets serve the campground. A separate backpackers camp located about 300 feet west provides five tent pads, a shared fire ring, and pit toilet for hikers on the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. The campground serves as a trailhead for the 192-mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail, which extends from Talimena State Park in Oklahoma to Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Arkansas. Additional hiking options include the Mountain-top Trail with one-mile and two-mile loops, plus nearby Horsethief and Billy Creek Trails within three miles. Emerald Vista, adjacent to the campground, provides panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountain Range. The area is well-shaded with pine and oak forest cover. Spring and fall offer cooler mountain temperatures compared to the surrounding lowlands.
Directions
Located on the Talimena Scenic Drive (Oklahoma State Highway 1), two miles west of the US Highway 259 junction.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $8 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (918) 653-2991 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov | |
| USFS Winding Stair Campground |
Availability
Photos
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